Boys Will Be Boys

Layne came home from preschool with this drawing in his backpack...

It was drawn by Samantha, a girl in Layne's class who wants to marry him.  But they are definitely NOT girlfriend and boyfriend.  When asked about his future marriage to Samantha, Layne replied, "Whatever.  Braxton's (Braxton is Layne's best bud) gonna marry Grace.  The girls will go do what they want to do and me and Braxton will just drink beer together."

Everett Sandwich

This is the chair that Mama salvaged from the side of the road and gave new life to...

This what Layne decided the cushions were good for...

Turning his little brother into a toddler sandwich...

Then Mama started taking pictures and Layne decided maybe he'd make a good sammie too...

Mama thinks they're both delicious.  Mmm-mmm.

Mouse Poop

Layne has deep thoughts when he's exhausted.  Take this conversation, for instance:

Layne to Mama, "Do mice poop?"

Mama replies, "Yes" and thinks to herself, "Where is this going?"

Layne again to Mama, "Do mice have trouble pooping?"

Mama answers, "No, I don't think so."

Layne..."Well, people have a hard time pooping when they eat a lot of cheese so I think mice must have trouble pooping because they eat LOTS of cheese."

Mama..."You may be right."

Everett's 2nd Birthday

Everett turned 2 on April 7, 2010.  He really enjoyed blowing out the (one pink) candle on his birthday pie.  So much so that Mama had to light it twice because he blew it out before the "Happy Birthday" song was over.  He wouldn't take off the new hat or "back-cack" he got, and Mama couldn't pry the new golf club out of his hand either.  (She was afraid he was going to whack the pie.)

Happy Birthday Bug-a-boo!

Hard-Headed

This is Everett's head...

This is Layne's wall...

This is Everett's head on Layne's wall...

Any questions?

Poor guy.  Poor wall.

Ol' Blue

Grandpa repaired and painted Uncle Jesse's old toy tractor and gave it to Everett for Christmas.  It was finally warm enough outside last week for the boys to take it for its first spin.  Everett had a hard time accepting the fact that his feet didn't reach the pedals.  He decided he was happier stuffing his face with crackers and watching Layne ride around on it instead.

Mama even took a turn for old times sake.

Two Lil' Monkeys Jumpin' On The Bed

Mama is a little different.  She likes to watch Layne and Everett jump on the bed.  To her, it's an innocent act of self play that takes her back to when she was a kid.  No toys, TV or money required. 

Boys & Bellies

What's the deal with boys and bellies?  After bathtime, Layne and Everett love to run around naked slapping their bellies shouting "Ah-ah!"  Even in the dead of winter on the coldest days, they are topless.  Mama thinks they must be free spirits.

Telling Mama How It Is

This morning Mama got up and was greeted by Layne in the hall.  Layne informed her that she was supposed to be downstairs making him breakfast when he wakes up in the mornings.  Mama said, "Okay, well, go back to bed for a little bit and then come downstairs."  He did.  Quirky little guy.

You've Come a Long Way, Baby

Everett started talking later than Layne did as a baby.  It wasn't entirely his fault.  The poor guy had a continuous double ear infection from age 7 months to 13 months...prime time for listening and learning to talk.  At 13 months, Everett had tubes inserted in both ears.  Almost instantly, he began walking and talking.  For some time, he wasn't able to pronounce consonant sounds - only vowel sounds.  It didn't take long though and he was calling his Mama, "Nay-na".  Eventually, he did say "Mama" when Dada was on a business trip in New Zealand.

Now, Everett is quite the chatterbox and tries to pronounce just about everything he hears.  Sometimes it doesn't sound just like the real word but Layne can usually translate for Mama and Dada.  Here are some examples of Everett's favorite things to say at the moment.

"Mama, air-AW-yew?"  (Mama, where are you?)  He likes to say this even when Mama is 2 feet away, making direct eye contact.  He thinks it's funny.

"eye-YEW"  (I love you.)  He says this every night before bed to Mama, Dada and Layne.

"pee-pee-yay-yuh"  (Pennsylvania)  This one makes Layne crack up.  Everett's Mimi and PapPap live in Pennsylvania.

"tuh-tuh-tuh-cuck"  (T-t-t-truck)  He's trying to say truck and really emphasizing the "t" but can't get the "tr" sound out.

"arf, arf" (Arf-arf)  He's pretending he's a puppy down on all fours.

"M-ow" (Meow)  He's pretending he's a kitty cat down on all fours.

"Cack"  (Snack)  He wants a snack...and he wants it now.

"Nay-ain"  (Layne)  He's calling for Layne to play with him.

"Uh-see, uh-see"  (I see, I see)  He wants to see whatever you have.